Dog Community

puppy fear?

Posted : 1/27/2007 9:25:29 PM

We have a 14 week old miniature dachsund that we have had for 2 weeks. He loves my wife and son, but seems afraid of me. No I have never hit the dog or anything like that. He was like this from the time he came home. Is it possible to change his reaction to me? He is supposed to be my dog, but it is not working out that way. He will come to me when called most of the time, but he does it in a manner which looks like he does not want to. My wife and son however he runs at full charge. Same thing when I open his crate door for him. He is very heistant at coming out for me, but flies out the door for the wife and son. Anyone have any idea what may be going through his mind? I reward, praise and feed him more then any one else, but I am most certainly his least favorite.

Xebby

Posted : 1/27/2007 9:39:22 PM

Try feeding him straight from your hand. Hold a pice of meat or something tasty in you finger just enough so he doen'st bite you and let him eat it straight out of you hand. You could do the same with penut butter, put it on a spoon and hold it in your hand while he licks it. 2 weeks isn't very long to establish a long term relationship with a dog so it just takes time. In 2 more weeks he may be a totaly different dog, at this age they change so much from one week to the next.

Chuffy

Posted : 1/28/2007 7:57:03 AM

My guess is that you are intimidating to him without meaning to be. You are larger and stronger than your wife and son and your voice is deeper. The dog is in awe of you. Make yourself small, crouch and turn away and let him come to you in his own time. Make your voice happy, always smile when you call him. Don't loom over him. Try lying on the floor and getting his favourite toy out for a game each evening. And ditto to all of the above. Mostly, just give him time.

glenmar

Posted : 1/28/2007 8:18:32 AM

And YOU need to be the one feeding him. He who controls the food controls the heartstrings. [

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mrv

Posted : 1/28/2007 9:34:58 AM

Sit on the floor watching television and ignore him (with respect to where you are looking). You need not talk or call or anything. Have some kibble (or for faster results TINY pieces of cheese or meat) in a bowl on your lap. If he comes toward you, very slowly toss a bit of treat to him. Remember eyes on the TV. As you do this, require he come closer and closer before you toss the treat. There is no need to work on getting this to happen fast. You have other ways to use as well. Let this one be on the dogs terms. After the dog will come and be close to you as soon as you sit on the floor, then require he touch you before he gets a treat. Then that you touch him before he gets a treat. Try and do the touch under the chin, which is often less threatening.

Since he is a dasch. weight control is an issue. Count out the treats and adjust the other food lower in volume so you dont need to worry about excess weight. Also, limit the entire volume of the treats so that you dont cause digestive upsets.